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Viewpoint from Rev Canon Simon Ward 31/01/2025
Rev Canon Simon Ward
Team Rector, Great Yarmouth Team Ministry, and Rural Dean
This weekend is the feast of Candlemas. Years ago, it was traditionally the day when people brought candles to church for them to be blessed. Sometimes the church store of candles would be blessed for use in the coming year. Candlemas falls on 2nd February, 40 days after Christmas and is a day of rich traditions echoing the moment when Mary and Joseph presented the 40-day old infant Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem and, according to Jewish law, to offer a sacrifice. Like so many things in the life of Jesus events take an unexpected turn as two devout, old and holy people exclaim that in this young child they have seen a great light which is to be a light for all people
 The practice of blessing candles seemed to take route in mediaeval Europe when this feast day was a scene as a moment of light and renewal. Think also of those days before electric lights when the dark days of winter must have felt oppressively long. A chance to light a candle catch a whiff of spring was welcoming indeed
Around the world, rich cultural traditions continue to reflect that theme of light and renewal. In Italy and Spain children carry candles in procession. In Latin America, there are many traditions built around “Dia de la Candeleria” again with lots of candles, processions and food to be shared
Similar traditions would have taken place here too at the doors of St Nicholas Church. Throughout years of Christian tradition there have been many such occasions when bringing things to church was important. Recently Plough Sunday was marked and saw pictures of tractors with ploughs being blessed at a number of churches across the county. Years ago, the fisherman of this town brought their nets to the doors of the church that they may be blessed. Such expressions of bringing and blessing indicates the depth of connection between the lives of ordinary people, often with a precarious marginal income, and the needs to offer all of that to God
Candlemas invites us to ponder how we, as Christians, are called to carry the light of Christ into the world. We too are called to bear light to those around us: A task for all people of all faiths and none. The darkness of the world can only ever be banished by good people bear the good light to those dark places most in need
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